“Stand up,” I spit out.
Her eyes narrow as she gracefully stands. “Now come here.” Again I watch her, waiting to see some sort of weakness. But she shows me nothing as she holds her shoulders back and head up, stopping right in front of me.
I reach for her silky hair and pull her up and into my chest. Our bodies burn with our heat and I wonder again why I have this crazy attraction to her.
“Are you kidding me? You ran from me?” Our eyes clash and our breathing is harsh.
“Angel, I’m not the one. I’m a bad guy. I told you this years ago. I will not allow this. You will know who owns you and you will obey.” Her blue eyes are pooled with tears but she doesn’t cower, which makes me almost see red. What the hell? Why does she push me?
“You don’t get a right to feel anything except what I let you.”
“You can’t control my mind, Blade,” she sneers. My eyes sweep her face, taking in her pink cheeks and red swollen lips, sliding to her neck and her rapidly beating heart. Suddenly I push her away.
“So, you’re saying that you are done paying your father and brother’s debt?” Her face pales instantly and I know I have her again. “Trust me, Eve. The place I have your father at is a fortune. If you’re done with me, I’ll tell them to dump him in the street and you can pick him up.” I grab her arm and pull her into the bedroom. Whimpering, she still holds her head high.
“Watch.” I reach for my phone. She grabs my arm.
“Wait… stop. What do you want from me?” she screams. I lower the phone and look at her. If only she would bend to me, I wouldn’t have to do this. Christ, all I wanted to do today was teach her to swim and go out to eat.
“I want everything, and if you ever run from me again, I’ll make sure it’s the last time.” I turn away unable to look at her or face all the ugly stuff I’ve said to her. I rip off my trunks not caring that she can see how much I want her. I need to get the fuck away from her, or I might do something I regret. Reaching for my pants and T-shirt, I take my phone and boots with me and call over my shoulder, “All you have to do is shut up and look good. Even someone with your limited amount of education can figure that out.”
She gasps. It’s a cheap shot, but her father and her lack of education are the only things that make my Angel insecure. I push back and lock away the nagging need to go to her and confess that I don’t mean it. But I do. She needs to let me control her or she’s going to get hurt. Trying to beat her down isn’t necessary, but since she still has a fire in her eyes, I haven’t succeeded. She has too much power over me already. Slamming our door, I pound on Ryder’s door to get ready to ride.EVEI’m staring at a shimmering, black mini halter dress. Mini is the key word. Literally when I lift it up I’m wondering if it’s going to cover everything. Edge handed me the box this morning with a note. At first, I couldn’t help the butterflies in my stomach at the thought that Jason had given me an “I’m sorry” present. What a naïve stupid thought that was. Turns out it was from Dolly with a note:
You’re welcome. That’s all it said.
I look down at the halter dress and the high-heeled ankle boots and can’t help but smile. Dropping my towel, my body still warm from my shower, I start to slather on my cocoa butter cream and slip into a black lace thong so that I can start on my makeup and hair. Of course, my mind wanders to Jason and us. He left two days ago—it’s a pattern we have apparently. Anything gets intense and Jason runs. This time he’s been gone two days. I roll my eyes at my reflection, aggravated that I can’t stop thinking about him. He’s a shit and a true manipulator. What he fails to understand is that I’m not stupid. And nobody can make people do what they want better than me. Jason can rage and threaten me, but I see the way he looks at me, and that gives me an edge, however slight that may be. He’s fighting his need for me. I have all the confidence that I can still bring him to his knees. Whether he talks about other women, or not being able to have a lasting relationship, I’m not stupid. This man wants me as much as I want him. I have no idea where he is. He’s called, I guess to check on me. Yet whenever I ask when he’s coming home or what he is doing, he gets quiet and says he’s working.